'Tank' Gets Last-Minute Go-Ahead for Wargods

Abbott will face Mike Bourke in
a heavyweight co-main attraction for Wargods “Valentine’s Eve
Massacre” at the Selland Arena in Fresno, Calif., confirmed a State
Athletic Commission rep late Friday afternoon.

Abbott (9-14) and Bourke (8-11-1) both reported to the venue at
4:00 p.m. PST and were weighed-in as part of a last-minute reprieve
to get the bout approved in time for the event, which begins at
6:30 p.m. PST.

Abbott weighed in at 265 pounds, while Bourke was 293 pounds.
(California statutes do not recognize the super heavyweight
division.)

Both fighters had attended the event’s official weigh-ins on
Thursday, only to be turned away by CSAC officials who said the
promotion had cancelled the bout themselves almost a week
before.

But a Wargods executive said they had reinstated the bout on
Tuesday after the promotion had come to “an agreement” with Abbott
over the weekend. The promotion rep said Wargods emailed the
commission of the addition earlier this week, but believe the email
was not received by the right person.

The executive also told Sherdog.com that both fighters’ paperwork,
including their medical testing, had been completed a month ago and
the bout had been approved before it was temporarily pulled from
the roster.

“When Tank Abbott’s fight was dropped, we just moved on with the
card,” CSAC Executive Director Bill Douglas told Sherdog.com late
Thursday. “We have no medicals on file for him at all.”

At the venue, Commission official J.D. Foreman told Sherdog.com
that the bout had been approved on Friday morning, after Abbott and
the promotion had provided the appropriate medical paperwork.
Foreman said the paperwork had originally been pulled from the file
when the state agency had been told the fight was off last
week.

Abbott last saw action one year ago at EliteXC “Street Certified”
against Kevin "Kimbo
Slice" Ferguson, where the bearded icons duked it out it for 43
seconds. Ferguson knocked out Abbott with a searing right
straight.

An early legend of the UFC, Abbott, 43, has dropped seven of his
last eight bouts since returning to the cage in 2003.

Bourke fought Chance
Williams to a “no contest” at KOTC “Opposing Force” in May
2008. Bourke has had one victory in his last ten appearances since
2006.

In the main event, Ken Shamrock
(26-13-2), who turned 45 on Thursday, takes on Ross Clifton
(6-8) in a heavyweight tilt. EliteXC veteran Tonya
Evinger will not appear on the card, confirmed CSAC officials
on Friday. Ten bouts have been approved for the event.

“Massacre” will be streamed live on Sherdog.com beginning at 6:30
p.m. PST.